Suddenly this week, issues surrounding homosexuality jumped to the top of the political debate.

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In Washington, President Obama declared his personal support for same-sex marriage; in North Carolina, voters approved an amendment banning same-sex marriage; and in Sacramento, a State Senate committee passed a bill rightly aimed at protecting teenage boys and girls who are wrestling with their own sexual identity. That’s Senate bill 1172.

What it does is make it illegal for any therapist to use a controversial reparative therapy that aims to –quote-“convert” a teenager from gay to straight.

It’s a well-intended bill. But like many people, our KSBW Editorial Board has concerns. And before anybody stops listening and runs to the phone to unleash a rant about what bigots we are, hold on.

Our concerns are not rooted in the rightness or wrongness of homosexuality. It’s about personal freedoms, parental rights, and just how any such law like this would be enforced.

It’s authored by State Senator Ted Lieu of Torrance. Supporters of the legislation believe there is no scientific evidence that the reparative therapy actually works. Perhaps. But others believe it does.

It’s difficult to overlook the potential political implications of this proposed law. It’s impossible for our KSBW Editorial Board to overlook the limitations this law would place on parents, who may not share Senator Lieu’s beliefs and who want to seek therapy for their children. Then there’s the question of enforcement: will government overseers now be forced to join therapist and client for counseling sessions?

And can any law precisely and fairly define sexual therapy focused on sorting through young teenagers’ ambiguity, curiosity, or certainty? Could not a law like this lead motivated activists to harass or make false accusations against counselors? Imagine the chilling effect that could have on legitimate therapies and counseling.

SB 1172 does strive for an enlightened goal in a California and a country that is far more accepting of homosexuality than ever.

But we agree with experts throughout the state, like the state marriage and family therapists association, who say the bill is just too broad.

We urge lawmakers to step back and don’t allow political correctness to sway them into voting for a bill that needs more time for study, debate, and perhaps modification.